The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-12-09
The Postal Service.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3O.-POstmaster
General Villas, 10 his report Gays the
expectation OF growth in the affairs or
the service INDUCED in previous reports
has been realized during the past year,
in part arising from the extension OF
the limits of mailable matter or the
fourth class-ordered to meet the re-
quirements OF 5rade-and from the re-
ceipts of the special delivery service,
but chiefly from the greater employ
ment of all postal facilities consequent
upon the rising business prosperity or
the country. the revenues have gained
upon the preceding yeaT by nearly Si,-
500 900, attaining a height never reach
ed before, despite the the restrictive op-
Grafton OF various reductions IN the rates
of postage. Upon The other hand, the
study of economy has not been without
effect in restraining the necessarily
rising scale of expenditure, so that the
increase of cash disbursements has but
little overstepped s, 100000.
Thus the deficiency charged upon the
General Treasury, which two years
since was round seven millions, and a
year ago but about seventy thousand
less, has been reduced almost three
sevenths. while the fair augury from
cur present circumstances gives hope
that during the current year 1t viii
nearly If not entirely disappear. II
there shall remain at the years end any
/ excess Of cash expenditure above receipt:
| iC cannot be much less than the postage
upon the mail matter of the government
itself, estimated TO be at Least two mill
[ ions annually, and reasonably its debt
10 the postal service. 1t may, therefore,
be fairly affirmed that from the ceSln-
ring of the current fiscal year the posta
/ service has again become substantially
selt-sus,aining and the prediction ot
ventured that if the revenues De not
/ further crippled and only similar
ratio OF increasing expenditure be held
/ the next fiscal year will yield surplus
which should, under the same condi-
I tiOns, annually increase.
In this promising condition specia.
| interests may be expected to vigorously
/ press foT p reduction IN rates of postage
/ in some class Of mail matter, always oi
I sptciOus appearance OF popularity; in
| deed, their organization for the i'm
| provsment Of the postal service" IS al
ready begun; but the general interest
viii perhaps rather require that reduc
[ tiOn OF the rates Ct postage shall bJ
l deferred to somewhat later period.
| The time is probably not distant when,
[ il the wisest measures Of economy be
/ pursued, the rate Of charge upon letters
I can be properly lowered TO one cent an
/ ounce, and some dimiuishment permit,
ted in the p0S.sges upon merchant Ise
aui OtEeT matter But the letter pos
tace Of the United States is now fixed
at rate below that OF other countries
save one, and when TIE distances of
trausD sDOTtati0n are considered. is cheap
er than IN any other. And the cOmbIn-
cd receipts from all mail matter no. OF
tie first class fall short of the cost of
handling, atfoTd.ng little claim, there
fore, Cor less postage charges.
The taxation for the maintenance OF
the postal service ~ the imposition of
postage leylts OF its UeneGciaTies com
msads itself as The iusJest form IL
which the burdens Of government can
be assessed Up1n citizens If the assess
ments te laid with discriminating fair
ness. L must - conceded that the
!spruport:0u2te levy upon newspapers
AID c"!S-Whicu furnish perhaps
uUe-thiTG the weigh. and bu'k Cf our
mails, while they return but about one
ioTtIeth of The Ieyeuue-viOlateS this
principle, but IL has been yielded N this
instance 20 the general advantages Of a
freer circular ot intelligence, the attain
meut Of which should be regarded as a
sufficient cons Iteration.
The Postmaster General makes a
number or suggestions, which he saws
experience has taught would greatly
benefit the service.